Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Esperanto Happy’

ABSTRACT

A new variety of  Chrysanthemum  plant named ‘Esperanto Happy’, having a good uniform canopy of bright red/yellow striped single flowers with a yellow/green disc. The variety has medium vigor, a free branching and uniform spreading habit, and good foliage presentation.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/413,586, filed Sep. 24, 2002.

Latin name of the genus and species Botanical classification:Chrysanthemum morifolium.

Variety denomination: The new Chrysanthemum variety denomination is‘Esperanto Happy’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, andreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Esperanto Happy’.

‘Esperanto Happy’ originated from a naturally occurring whole plantmutation grown in a controlled planting of the variety ‘EsperantoImproved’ application Ser. No. 10/677,474 in Valsequillo, Gran Canaria,Spain. The new variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ has been asexually reproducedby vegetative cuttings in Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom andthe distinguishing characteristics are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Esperanto Happy’ is a pot type of Chrysanthemum plant variety havingred/yellow striped single flowers.

Comparison with Parent

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ are mostsimilar to the parent cultivar ‘Esperanto Improved’ in plant habitat andgrowth rate. In side-by-side comparisons in Chichester, West Sussex,United Kingdom, under commercial practice, plants of the newChrysanthemum variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ compared to plants of the parentcultivar ‘Esperanto Improved’ in the following characteristics.

1. The new variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ produces red/yellow striped singleflowers whereas the parent cultivar ‘Esperanto Improved’ producespink/white striped single type flowers.

2. Plants of the new variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ have similarinflorescence to the plants of the parent cultivar ‘Esperanto Improved’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Typical specimens of the plant and flowers for the new Chrysanthemumvariety ‘Esperanto Happy’ are shown in the accompanying digitalphotograph. The colors shown are as true as possible within the usuallimits of this kind of illustration which is a whole plant view of thenew variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ grown in a pot. The plant shown in theillustration is 53 days from commencement of short days.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following description of the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘EsperantoHappy’ is of plants grown in a greenhouse in Chichester, West Sussex,United Kingdom in the month of February. The cultivar has not beenobserved under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype mayvary significantly with variations in the environment such astemperature, length of day and light intensity, without any variance ingenotype. The commercial classification of the new variety is a potChrysanthemum.

Plants of the new variety have been grown successfully under temperatureconditions averaging about 18° C. at night and about 24° C. to 25° C.during the day under light conditions of about 5000 to 6000 footcandles. The plants respond well to the use of growth retardant, such asB9 treatment. To produce a commercial product the plants may be pinchedonce with the center bud removed. The typical container size forcommercial growth is 14 cm. It has been observed that the shelf life ofthe new variety is about 24 days with a response time of about 8 weeks.The new variety is suitable for growth in a temperature range of 17° C.to 28° C.

The following description is with respect to a plant produced as potChrysanthemum. In the description of this new Chrysanthemum variety,color values have been taken from The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.C.C.).

Plant

Plant type: Pot.

Habit: Upright and free branching.

Height: 23 cm.

Width: 35 cm.

Branching characteristics: Upright and free branching.

Length of lateral branches: 6-11 cm.

Number of breaks from pinch: 3-5.

Stem color: 137A.

Response time: 53 days.

Vigor: Medium.

Shelf life: 24 days.

Disease/pest (susceptibility/resistance observed): None observed todate.

Growth retardant type and treatment: 3 applications of 2.5 gm/“liter” B9at 2, 21, 28 days after the commencement of sticking of unrootedcuttings. The plants were grown for 3 weeks in Long Day conditions (20hours of light) and then transferred to Short Day conditions (13 hoursof dark).

Propagation:

Type.—Vegetative propagation via stem cuttings

Time to rooting.—12-14 days with soil temperatures of 18° C.

Rooting habit.—Fine and fibrous.

Foliage

Number of leaves per lateral branch: 8-11.

Compound or single: Single.

Arrangement of leaves: Alternate.

Shape of leaf.—Typically 5 lobed ovate.

Size of leaf.—Width (cm): 3.5-7 Length (cm): 5-10.

Leaf apex.—Acute.

Base.—Obtuse.

Attachment.—Petioled.

Aspect: Slightly undulating.

Margin: Palmately lobed.

Surface characteristics:

Top.—Slightly pubescent.

Bottom.—Pubescent.

Petiole:

Color.—137B. Length: 1.5 cm.

Venation: net prominent midvein at underside.

Color.—Upper side: Near 137A. Under side: Near 138A.

Color:

Mature leaf, upper side.—Near 137A; under side: Near 138A.

Young leaf, upper side.—Near 137B; underside: Near 138B.

Flower

Flower appearance: Circular slightly cupped.

Flower type: Single.

Flower form: Cupped.

Flower shape: Circular.

Flowering habit: Cyme.

Number of blossoms per branch: 3-5.

Inflorescence form: Pyramidal.

Depth of fully expanded blossoms.—2 cm.

Diameter of fully expanded blossoms.—6-8 cm.

Phyllaries:

Number.—28-30.

Color.—Near 136C.

Length.—0.5-0.9 cm.

Width.—0.2-0.4 cm.

Texture/appearance.—Pubescent.

Peduncle: Peduncle length is shortest at the terminal flower andprogressively longer moving down the stem.

Length.—2.5-10 cm.

Color.—Near 136C.

Surface.—Pubescent.

Habit.—Slightly curving.

Strength.—Medium.

Pedicel: Length: terminal: 1.5-3.5 cm; lateral: 1.5-6 cm.

Color.—Near 138B.

Surface.—Pubescent.

Habit.—Slightly curving.

Strength.—Medium.

Ray florets:

Form/shape.—Straight.

Texture/appearance.—Matte.

Number per flower.—25-30.

Length.—3-3.5 cm; Width: 0.8-1.2 cm.

Apex.—Rounded.

Base.—Tapered.

Margin.—Entire.

Disc florets:

Form/shape.—Cylindrical.

Texture/appearance.—Shiny.

Number per flower.—170-250.

Length.—0.3-0.6 cm; Width: <0.1-0.1 cm.

Diameter of disc.—1.2-1.5 cm.

Fragrance: Faint.

Flower bud (at onset of color):

Length.—1.5 cm.

Diameter.—1 cm.

Form/shape.—Globular.

General flower color.—1. Ray florets, upper side: Immature: Near 46B and9A. Mature: Near 46C and 9B. Older/Fading: Near 46D and 9C. 2. Rayflorets, under side: Immature: Near 4A. Mature: Near 4B. Older/Fading:Near 4C. 3. Disc florets: Immature: Near 144A. Mature: Near 154A.Older/Fading: Near 154B. 4. Bud 138B.

Flower progression with age: Flower form does not change with age butthere is a slight colour fading.

Other distinguishing characteristics: Foliage remains good with age.

Reproductive Organs

Lastingness of blooms: About 24 days.

Gynoecium present on Ray and Disc florets;

Ray florets per individual flower.—Pistil Number: 25. Stigma color: Near6C. Stigma shape: Forked. Style Color: Near 6C. Style Length: 0.2 cm.

Disc florets per individual flower.—Pistil Number: >30<45. Stigma color:Near 6C. Stigma shape: Forked. Style Color: Near 6C. Style Length: 0.2cm.

Androecium: None observed to date.

Fruit and Seeds: None observed to date.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Chrysanthemumplant, substantially as described and illustrated herein.